India NIA Arrests Kolkata Resident for Espionage Network Sharing Sensitive Information With Pakistani Intelligence Officers

India's National Investigation Agency arrested Kolkata resident Zafar Riaz, alias Rizvi, on May 20, charging him under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Official Secrets Act, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for passing sensitive security information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers as part of an espionage network 12. According to the NIA press release, Riaz had a prior espionage conviction under the Official Secrets Act, is married to a Pakistani national whose children are also Pakistani citizens, and traveled frequently between the two countries since 2005; Pakistani intelligence officers recruited him during one such visit with financial inducements and a promise of citizenship 1. The agency stated Riaz provided One-Time Passwords from Indian telecom numbers to Pakistani handlers to activate WhatsApp accounts used for covert communications with co-accused Motiram Jat, who separately transmitted classified information to the same handler 13. A Look Out Circular had been issued and proceedings to declare Riaz a Proclaimed Offender were underway before his arrest; the NIA said the investigation continues to identify additional members of the network 12.